Having parked in a side street recommended by my hotel in York a few months ago and returning next morning to see someone had kicked in both rear lights and done their best (evidenced by mud footprints) to kick the rear mirrors entirely off the car, I've similarly become more wary of "park on a side street for free". £350 to replace the lights clusters is not free (fortunately the thugs didn't break the LEDs, only the plastic lens bits, or we'd have been at "insurance claim" cost levels).

That's why I don't park in random side corners near airports on a regular basis or give my car keys to anyone (no "meet and greet").

Protip: don't park on the road leading to Knavesmere in York overnight unless your car is a piece of crap.